Network availability status detection device and method

A network device configured to send and receive messages over a first network and a second network, comprising:

• a network status detector unit configured to detect the availability of the first network and output a first network status signal indicating one of availability or unavailability of the first network;
• a network disabling unit configured to receive the first network status signal and disable wireless communication to the second network when the first network status signal indicates the first network is unavailable;
• and
• a wireless transmitter configured to send messages on the second network, the wireless transmitter being configured to selectively broadcast a service set identifier (SSID) message, the second network being disabled by turning off the broadcast of the SSID message when the first network is not available.